Joni Eareckson Tada: Sharing Hope

Shauna: I'm Shauna, with Joni Eareckson Tada sharing hope. Thanks for listening today. If you were to spend the day with Joni, you would soon discover that she likes to carry a song wherever she goes. And she has a lot to sing about this month as she celebrates an important milestone of God's goodness in her life. So, Joni, what is the song on your heart today?

Joni Eareckson Tada: Well, it's not a hymn, but it is a little song you'd recognize. All week long, it keeps bubbling up in my heart. "I'm singing in the rain, just singing in the rain. What a glorious feeling, I'm happy again. I'm laughing at clouds so dark up above. I'm singing, I'm singing in the rain."

Shauna: Oh wait, now I have heard you sing that in the hallways here at Joni and Friends, but Joni, why that song?

Joni Eareckson Tada: Okay, follow me here. July 30th marks 59 years since I took that crazy dive into the Chesapeake Bay and broke my neck. And yes, I consider that terrible, wonderful day as a milestone to celebrate. But some would say, "Why in the world would I honor the day I suffered a tragic injury?" And I agree, my broken neck was a tragedy. But when I severed my spinal cord, my quadriplegia became a tool in the hands of God, and he slowly started using that tragedy to change my life.

And that was a good thing because, honestly, before my accident, the path that I was heading down was not good. So, God rescued me. Although my body was tragically damaged, he rescued my soul. And I consider that my soul and what happens to it is far more precious than walking. I'm also celebrating because God further used that tragedy to reach suffering people all over the world for Christ.

So today, it is like singing in the rain, because not too many people would dare step outside in a downpour and lean back, spread their arms wide, and belt out, "I'm singing in the rain." But although suffering has soaked me to the bone, and I can still be wet with tears when trials wash over me, I sing my way through suffering like singing in the rain. I've got Psalm 32 assuring me that when mighty floodwaters rise, they'll not reach me.

And Isaiah 43 says when you pass through the waters, I'll be with you; they will not sweep over you. So, when the water did sweep over me in the Chesapeake Bay, I'm assured that God was with me. And he rescued me in many more ways than one. Friend, God pours out his abundant joy on those who turn to him in their pain and in their problems.

He shares his joy when you enter into the fellowship of sharing in the suffering of his Son, Jesus. So I am singing in the rain because the downpour of trials has drawn me into a sunny and beautiful friendship with my Savior.

Shauna: Oh, Joni, thank you. And I know lots of our listeners would want to celebrate what God is doing through you and the accident that occurred 59 years ago.

Guest (Male): Listen friend, when God gave Joni her wheelchair, he gave her a global calling. And many of you listening are part of that calling. Together, we are delivering gospel hope and practical help to people struggling with disability around the world. So, come rain or come shine, join Joni in celebrating and accelerating what God is accomplishing through Joni and Friends. Visit joniradio.org today to donate or to serve with us.